The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-26

having seen Frank, his brother, on his recent
trip, and stated that Frank was in terrible
condition physically and mentally. Harry
also said that he had fears that Frank might
take his life if given chance. and for this
reason he had telegraphed the authorities to
hold his. brother until he could arrive, and
that it was ON his authority that Frank was
now being held. There is deep seated con-
viction among many people in Saco that the
bank officials have already recovered either
the whole or part Of the stolen securities,
although it is impossible to ascertain the
truth of the conjecture from the officials
themselves. A gentleman who has very
close social and business relations with the
bank officials, and who has been on the in
side in this matter from the first, and un-
doubtedly knows everything that the Saco
and Biddeford Savings Institution has done
in the case since McNeally's flight, said in
public last night in reply to queery: Il
tell you the stolen securities are now in the
vaults of the Saco and Biddeford Savings
Institution" This statement he repeated
this forenoon.
Treasurer Kelly refused to answer this
morning as to whether the bank had recover
ed any of the stolen securities or not, but
few moments later said that If they had re-
covered them they would he only too glad to
make 1t known. He denied ever having
made the statement that he expected to go to
Europe after the bonds. but said he had
often asserted that he should like to go to
Europe after them, as he was convinced
they were there. When asked if he would
repeat that expression now, he answered.
"Yes, should like to go if l thought they
were there"
"But, would you like to go because you
think they are there?"
This he refused to answer. Mr.. Kelly
said that he thought the statement in this
mornings papers, that only $50 was found
on McNeally's person, was most likely true,
as he hardly thought he would have larger
amount with him. Mr.. Kelly said that, to
his knowledge, the officials had sent no in
structions to the authorities at Halifax either
to hold or to release the prisoner.
Don't they want him held?"
Certainly, if there is enough to hold
him."
Mr.. Kelly also said that, personally, he did
not think the defaulter could be brought, or
would be brought to this country; that the
officials were well pleased with the results
they had accomplished lately, but he posi-
lively declined to give an opinion as to the
probabilities of their ever recovering their
stolen property; that in the light of a bus-
ness transaction he would rather recover the
bonds than bring McNeally to punishment,
and that, although he had great sympathy
for the family of the defaulter, for him he
had not the least, nor did he think the Off
cials of the bank would let up on him, If 1T
were possible to bring him to justice. If, on
the other hand, Frank came back penitent
and returned everything in bis possession, the
officials might use their influence to have
him dealt with as lightly as possible.
The following conversation took place last
evening, between Harry McNeally and a
Saco gentleman of undoubted veracity;,
"What is your great hurry to go down
there and get your brother into the State
prison?"
II don't want to get him into State prison,
neither do the bank officials. What want
is the bonds. Frank is the only person alive
who knows where the bonds are"
"Well, why should they hold him on the
strength of a telegram from you%
because mine is the only name upon
which they would hold him. Even tele-
gram from the banks attorney was not
enough for them without my name being at
tached."
"Were you surprised when you heard of
Franks arrest?"
Eyes. was. If it could only have been
kept quiet one week longer, everything
would have been settled"
Il suppose sooner or later everything will
be made public, will it not?"
81 should like to make everything public,
but there are some things that cannot"
"Well if there is anything to benefit Frank
in the eyes of the public, of course you will
make it known, though don't suppose you
think any one else was mixed up in the affair,
do you?"
swell, he was pulled into it reluctantly"
"Do you really think he was ?"
81 don't think anything about it, / know
he was"
Treasurer Kelly positively denies that he
sent despatch to the defaulter, as reported
n one of the Boston papers.
The Biddeford Journal says that it is able
to state upon the best of authority that the
bank offered Frank McNeally $780,. the
amount of the reward, for the return of all
the securities, and that the defaulter 1e-
manded $4,000, which the bank refused to
give. And that is why the matter has been
hanging fire.